Perhaps all who know anything of the watery tendencies of Swithin's day somewhat anxiously study the sky at this time, especially if any picnic or journey depends on the weather, or on what is called St. Swithin being in a good temper. "Remember whose day it is to-morrow," is a reminder that generally makes the reminded less boastful, and cools the ardour of the expectant pleasure party. But, laying tradition and July apart, a wholesome lesson may be learnt from this St. Swithin's day.

Uncertainty is an unpleasant flaw in itself, and most disheartening to those who are brought within its influence. A downright No is often better than a wavering YES. At any rate, in the one we know the worst—exactly what to expect; whilst with the other we ourselves are obliged to become uncertain, if our actions depend on the yes of a fluctuating mind. Uncertainty is altogether out of place in the Christian's character, whose principle should be so firmly based on the One Foundation as to admit only of the "Yea" and “ Nay” "* of Scriptural standard, and so formed after the example of the mind which is in Christ Jesus, as to be capable of no change save that of progression, and no alteration save that of increased likeness to Him. A few illustrations will bring home this subject to ourselves.

2

A well-known philanthropist is asked for a contribution. The collector feels sure of a liberal one; he, however, gets nothing. The "uncertain" flaw is at work in the old gentleman's temper the beautiful July of Christian philanthropy is marred by this dark speck on his character. The discouraged collector confides his disappointment to a mutual friend, who only says, "Ah, one can't always catch him at the right moment; if you had gone yesterday, or to-morrow, you might have received a ten-pound note!" This is not an exaggerated case, but one to be deplored; for if liberality is exercised by fits and starts, it will dishonour rather than adorn the gospel of Christ. There should be no element of St. Swithinism in it; it is a Christ-like beauty, on which no 2 Phil. ii. 5.

1 James v. 12.

spot should ever be allowed to rest; it is a heavenly sunbeam that should never be clouded by uncertainty or hidden by temper.

Again, a lady wonders why her Christian friends seem so reserved at times, and why, to use a common phrase, "they do not get on well together." "Surely," she says, "with but one Christian interest between us, and with the same aim in view, we should be more one in the Lord, and be at no loss for conversation when we meet." The reason is in herself only, and is simply this: although of undoubted piety, this lady is uncertain; she may receive you warmly, or she may seem so indifferent that you cannot feel easy, much less free, in her presence. You are not sure that she will reciprocate a single sentiment you utter, therefore conversation is forced, and you go away with the feeling that you have either said or done something to displease Mrs. ; but no, she is in one of her uncertain moods, and a straw will turn her either to courtesy or almost rude abruptness. You may call another day and find her all that is pleasant and affable, but the remembrance of yesterday acts as a wet blanket-you are afraid to open out freely, lest the uncertain fit should return on your friend.

"Oh!" says a young housekeeper, who is about to invite a few friends to tea, "how shall I be able to entertain them? John will be absent part of the evening, and I have no conversational powers." This is said in confidence to an intimate acquaintance, who immediately promises to bring a gentleman who will then be her guest. "If you get him, you will be all right; he is a host in himself; but"But what? It isn't Swithin's day on that Thursday!" "No; but he is so uncertain; he may come and be the life of the party, or he may sit in silence on a back sofa!"

Now, these are not fancy sketches; they are drawn from life, and portray the flaw of uncertainty in Christians, who would grieve to know that they injure the Lord's cause in the sight of many who watch for their halting In all be

coming reverence, let us for a moment consider what would be the result if there were any uncertainty in God's dealings with us! Let us think to what our hopes would dwindle if Christ were any other than He is the Always. "The same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Always the came! St. Paul says of Him, "I know whom I have believed." 1 There is no uncertainty. What He was yesterday, He is to-day, and will be for ever. We may rely upon His word; every promise will be fulfilled; every hope based upon those promises will be fulfilled; every petition made in accordance with those "exceeding great and precious promises "2 will be granted; not one word will fail, for He "is not a man, that He should lie (or be uncertain), or the son of man, that He should repent."3 Safely and surely may we apply to Him at all times and in all places. Safely, because He is ever on the mercy-seat, ready to listen to His children's wants, and attend to their petitions; and surely, because with Him "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' "4 With Him there is no uncertainty. No sinner need tremble to approach lest he should be dismissed in anger. No believer need fear to come with boldness lest he should be sent away empty. When God quells His people's doubts with the words, "Be still, and know that I am God," He means that this mere knowledge should be sufficient; it should be equal to saying, "I am the Lord, I change not; "6"therefore what I promised yesterday I will fulfil to-day, henceforward, and for ever therefore you may well be still,' and fear no evil whilst I am with you, for I am faithful and cannot deny Myself." I am as able as willing to perform all that is best for your eternal interests.

7

If Christians would more prayerfully and more constantly bear in mind this grand characteristic of their Lord and Master, they would not so often "fall short" by reason of that repelling uncertainty in their daily converse, which, like cloud-specks on the summer sky, spoil the attractions of that 3 Num. xxiii. 19. 4 James i. 17. 7 2 Tim. ii. 13, with Psa. xxiii. 5.

2 2 Tim. i. 12. 2 Pet. i. 4. 5 Psa. xlvi. 10. • Mal. iii. 6.

religion of which they are, by profession, the exponents and "liv.ng epistles "1 "known and read of all men.' In putting on the Lord Jesus Christ,2 we should look well that we do not omit any of those lovely etceteras which adorn His doctrine. To be winning as well as wise, should be the aim of all who desire to "follow fully" in those paths of pleasantness and peace spoken of in Proverbs as belonging to wisdom; but this cannot be whilst any degree of “uncertainty" exists either in the temper of one's mind constitutionally or spiritually. "I dislike indecision," said a young Christian, the other day; "it makes me so cross; I can never feel good-tempered whilst this uncertainty lasts." The uncertainty was of her own making; had her mind been quite decided to do only such things as were in accordance with her high and holy calling, there would have been no hesitancy on the point in question, nor any doubt as to the proper course for her to pursue.

It is the boast of one of England's oldest cities that her motto is "Semper Fidelis ;" but the Christian goes a step higher, and boasts-no, not boasts-praises God that his watchword is not only "Semper Fidelis," but also "Semper Eadem," a blessed union that marks, or rather should mark, the character of all whose honour it is to serve the Faithful God, the Eternal I Am, the Unchanging Saviour, Jesus Christ the Lord.

We shall not grudge St. Swithin a line in our almanacks if he teaches us a lesson of watchfulness against this flaw, "Uncertainty," which spoils so many innocent pleasures in nature and privileges in grace, and also makes unpleasant companions of those who should be of one mind in the Lord. By-and-by we shall be like Christ; it will be a glorious necessity of seeing Him as He is; but to be like Him now should be our highest aim; and to be like Him now we must put on the Lord Jesus, which means hiding ourselves in Him, hiding our poor naked selves beneath His perfect righteousness as a certain dwelling-place, and thus 2 Rom. xiii. 14.

1 2 Cor. iii. 2.

becoming one with Him who never changes, and will never change towards His people. Having loved His own, He will love them to the end. He will perfect His work concerning them, according to that text, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.'

Christ's love will avail us,

Ever faithful and sure;
Though friends may all fail us,
His love will endure!

The Swelling of Jordan.

thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?"

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." If we cannot bear up in small troubles, shall we not be utterly crushed under greater ones? All must battle with the waves in the swelling of Jordan. If our lives glide happily by with apparently no great trouble to grapple, yet at the last we must step down into the river. Alone we must pass through it, happy if its swellings do not prevent us from feeling the bottom, happy if able to say, "Keep a good heart, brother, I feel the bottom." But how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? Oh, then only can we do what we must be doing all our lives if we would be safe and happy, look to Jesus, saying, "Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe."

But how is it that the small every-day troubles and temptations do so often weary and overcome us, while sometimes

1 Phil. iii. 21.